A top official at the Mississippi Department of Corrections has left abruptly and under sketchy circumstances, according to multiple sources near the department.

According to a post by the non-profit organization “Hope Dealers,” MDOC’s Executive Deputy Commissioner of Administration and Finance, Karei McDonald, was escorted from his office in Jackson by the Criminal Investigations Division on Thursday.

A memo sent from Commissioner Burl Cain to MDOC employees sent Thursday states the following:

“Effective Immediately, November 9, 2023, Executive Deputy Commissioner Karei McDonald is no longer with the Department of Corrections.

Derrick Garner has been appointed as our new Deputy Commissioner of Finance. Please help us welcome him into his new position and give him your full support.”

In calls and emails Wednesday and Thursday to MDOC, we have not been able to reach anyone for official comment.